Bearcreek Today Bearcreek Montana, 2004-2005
The 2000 census listed 83 residents in Bearcreek, the most since 1950, and an increase of 55 percent over the 1990 count. That increase made Bearcreek the fastest growing town in Montana. Since that latest census, Bearcreek’s population has continued to grow. Several new homes have been constructed. Older homes, once abandoned, have been renovated and occupied. Around the year 2000, the Bearcreek Town Council began working on an ordinance to “clean-up the town.” Some absentee landowners were neglecting their Bearcreek properties. In 2002, the Council approved modification of their Title-4 Public Health and Safety Ordinance – the subject of Weeds and Dry Grasses and Abatement of Dangerous Structures. All property owners were notified they were responsible for maintenance of their properties; weeds and grasses had to be cut, other fire dangers removed. Although an ongoing project, the town has most certainly been “cleaned-up.” In 2002, the town purchased a fire truck and a volunteer fire department was formed. Since that time another truck and other fire fighting necessities have been acquired, and volunteers have undergone required training. In 2003, thanks to the efforts of LuDon Deville and Jon Axline, and with the support of the Town Council and the Carbon County Historical Society, the old bank building and community hall in Bearcreek was placed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. A partial grant was received to renovate the building. Local volunteers installed a new roof and a restroom was added. More work is needed. Please see the Historic Preservation page of this web site to learn more about the project, and how you can donate. In 2004, the Town Council voted to apply for a loan to construct a second, larger water storage tank for the town. That application, and an accompanying grant, is pending. Looking ahead, continued population growth seems inevitable for Bearcreek. The drier, warmer climate is more desirable to many than at the nearby popular resort town of Red Lodge, and housing prices are lower. The Town Council has remained steadfast in planning for this growth, and determined in their efforts to continue to improve - through the “clean-up” ordinance and fire department - the safety of town residents and appearance of the town. And finally, by means of historic preservation of the few remaining buildings of businesses that existed in the early 1900s, and the renovation of the Bearcreek Cemetery, the town hopes to honor Bearcreek’s founders, pioneers, and those who followed, whose remarkable efforts to keep the town alive during the deteriorating years were successful. As it was then, Bearcreek remains today, the town that refuses to fade away.				Bearcreek Town Council Mailing Address: Bearcreek, MT 59007 Council meets first Wednesday of the month, 7:30 pm. Bob “Pits” DeArmond, Mayor Patricia Cenis Cy Murfitt Carl Peterson TJ Swanson Jane Swanson-Webb, Town Clerk Bearcreek Town Services Animal Control Officer: Tim Ryan Building/Zoning/Weeds/Abandoned Vehicles: Tim Ryan Planning Board Representative: Kathy Burgener Water/Sewer/Roads: Jane Swanson-Webb, Dean Webb Historical Preservation Officer: Bill Cenis Bearcreek Volunteer Fire Department Meets second Thurs. of the month, 7 p.m., fire hall Emergency: 9-1-1. Non-Emergency: 446-0165 Tim Ryan, Fire Chief Bob DeArmond Dick DeVille Mike Udicious Kelly Carrington Bearcreek Woman’s Club Meets the second & fourth Friday every month, 1:00 pm, held at members’ homes. Note: The Bearcreek Woman’s Club has been active since the early 1900s, and has been responsible for many improvements in Bearcreek. Louise Black Pearl DeVille Cecil Blackler Beverly Murfitt Kathy Sticka Patricia Cenis Betty Cristan BUSINESSES Bearcreek Saloon & Steakhouse, Pits & Lynn DeArmond Hungry Bear Bakery & Café, Richard & Dawna Kotar Electrical Contractor, L. Kuster, Sage Massage, Threse Fuchs Washoe Quilt Shoppe, LuDon DeVille Bearcreek Post Office, 59007 (Lists above prepared by Beverly Murfitt and the Bearcreek Women’s Club)
	The Washoe Quilt Shoppe offers a full line of quilting supplies, workshops and Montana friendly quilting gatherings. For more information go to washoequiltshoppe.com	“World Famous” banana cream pie, and home style breakfasts, lunches and dinners make the Hungry Bear Café a favorite eatery in these parts.	The Bearcreek Saloon and Steakhouse, home of award winning steaks and the nationally known pig races.